Chad, I would argue that besides the Hornets, that the (gasp) Raptors had the best offseason. They got three major upgrades (Valanciunas, Lowry, and Ross). I know some will say the Nets did better, but I think they just became Atlanta - a team that will always be a 4/5 seed and never make it to the conference finals. Thoughts?

Chad Ford (1:30 PM)

I like the Lowry addition. Valanciunas also has the change to be really good. I also like Terrence Ross, though they may have reached for him just a bit at No. 8. In short, the Raptors got better. I'm not sure they're a playoff team, but they're better. However, if the Knicks don't match the Landry Fields contract, that's a major negative in their column. They way overpaid. I was fine with it if they landed Nash. But without Nash? Ugh. B- with Fields. A- without him.

Since you gave in your moderator badge no one listens to you anymore ....or comprehension levels on the forums has diminished severely.

I dont believe BC goes for a Mayo. He seems to have an abrasive personality and did not get along very well with his team mates (reportedly had a dustup with Allen). Re the SF position I would first exhaust all trade possibilities including Jose to achieve this. If this does not pan out give it a rest and not force the issue...there isnt much there after Batum and possibly Rush as fas

Since the topic here is free agents only .. I think the answer is no one.

There are not any impact free agents left out there .. so I would rather save / use my cap space on a trade where we could get an impact player (I wont mention the names for fear of Matt22's wrath of getting off topic).

Other than $2-$3 mm type guys to fill holes .. I dont see anyone out there worthy of a $7-$10 mm type signing.

Since you gave in your moderator badge no one listens to you anymore ....or comprehension levels on the forums has diminished severely.

I dont believe BC goes for a Mayo. He seems to have an abrasive personality and did not get along very well with his team mates (reportedly had a dustup with Allen). Re the SF position I would first exhaust all trade possibilities including Jose to achieve this. If this does not pan out give it a rest and not force the issue...there isnt much there after Batum and possibly Rush as fas

the comprehension has always been low.

If Your Uncle Jack Helped You Off An Elephant, Would You Help Your Uncle Jack Off An Elephant?

Sometimes, I like to buy a book on CD and listen to it, while reading music.

I'd like to see a strong pitch made for a trade with OKC for James Harden using a combo of Calderon/DD/ED/Amir/Cap releif.

Lowry
Harden
T. Ross
Bargnani
JV

Since that will never happen I'll throw my hat in for giving JJ another year while searching for a better option. At the least he works hard of D and for the most part you don't have to double team the guy he is defending. IMO his ability to rotate, cover his own man and block shots was a big part of why the Rap's were so good at limiting points in the paint last season.

Fly in the ointment?

I understand that Lin has yet to sign the Houston offer sheet and hopes to do it by today. Why the delay?

There might be a squeeze play going on by timing the signing to coincide with the expiry (matching) time on the Field's TO offer sheet. If NY matches on Fields there might just be a possibility that they let Lin go. Is Lin trying to indicate to the Knicks that he prefers the Rockets? This may also have the effect of NY passing on Fields? Apart from the obvious cap implications (luxury tax) in NY we dont know enough of whats happening behind the scenes for Lin to be delaying the signoff. Can he actually squeeze more $ from the Knicks?

I understand that Lin has yet to sign the Houston offer sheet and hopes to do it by today. Why the delay?

There might be a squeeze play going on by timing the signing to coincide with the expiry (matching) time on the Field's TO offer sheet. If NY matches on Fields there might just be a possibility that they let Lin go. Is Lin trying to indicate to the Knicks that he prefers the Rockets? This may also have the effect of NY passing on Fields? Apart from the obvious cap implications (luxury tax) in NY we dont know enough of whats happening behind the scenes for Lin to be delaying the signoff. Can he actually squeeze more $ from the Knicks?

Houston is getting all their ducks in a row to make the offer for Dwight.

It's well documented that OKC will have a tough time holding onto to both Ibaka and Harden. James Harden is great, but he wilted badly against the Heat in the playoffs, when he was supposed to be a huge advantage for OKC. It became obvious that OKC needs to improve at least 2 things: (1) overall bench scoring, (2) PF/C scoring to prevent teams from going small ball.

Continuing with the dreaming theme, here is a trade that at least would get OKC thinking.

So, OKC gets 3 superb bench players, who could be starters + a high draft pick + cap flexibility (Calderon/Derozan). Bargnani gives them a legitimate scoring big, so Miami can't go small ball on them without getting punished. AB + Perkins/Ibaka is a nice fit in the front court.

Place all the remaining names on a board, blindfold Colangelo and whoever the dart hits they pay that guy twice what his open market value is? If there is money left over he can tell the fans it's an asset to be used later when really it won't get used at all? (Maybe that money affects company bonus'? )

Seriously though, I don't know where he goes from here. This off-season has been a flop overall so far.

If the Knicks match, we should get Landry to mail us a piece of his own fecal matter so we can start it at small forward and everyone in raps repub can get super excited and tell me it's a legit player.

if the knicks match, we should get landry to mail us a piece of his own fecal matter so we can start it at small forward and everyone in raps repub can get super excited and tell me it's a legit player.

Lin impact?

From ESPN:

It's your move, New York Knicks.

Jeremy Lin has signed a three-year offer sheet with the Houston Rockets, according to a source close to the talks. The deal is worth a little more than $25 million -- $5 million in the first year, $5.225 million in the second year and $14.8 million in the third year. The Knicks have three days to match the Rockets' offer.

It looks doubtful that Knicks will match Fields before Lin, and that's a nice poison pilled contract. Looks like Fields is coming!